Story
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"><strong>Ironman Bolton - 31st July - 3.8km Swim - 180km Cycle - 42km Run</strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="line-height: 140%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US">At the end of last year I decided to test my mettle and join the ranks of the world’s craziest triathletes by competing in the UK Ironman. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="line-height: 140%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="line-height: 140%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US">The Ironman is quoted as being one of the most selfish sporting events that a person can train for. All of your spare time is consumed by training and, among other things, you become obsessed with cycling everywhere and constantly smell of chlorine from the swimming pool. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="line-height: 140%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="line-height: 140%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US">In an attempt to redeem myself, I am using the Ironman as an opportunity to raise money for Sparrow Schools which runs schools for 650 underprivileged children between the ages of 7 and 18 in Johannesburg, South Africa. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="line-height: 140%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="line-height: 140%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US">The first Ironman race was organized in 1978 by a U.S. Navy Commander who wanted to determine which athletes are the fittest: swimmers, runners or cyclists. Interestingly, a US Navy SEAL finished second after his support crew ran out of water during the run and resorted to giving him beer. While I would like to believe that the same strategy would help me to second place, I am looking forward to having a celebratory beer but only after the race!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="line-height: 140%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="line-height: 140%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US">I have set up two sponsorship pages: one for those living in South Africa and on for those living in the UK. I would appreciate your support - please pass this on to anyone who you think will be interested.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white;"><span><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white;"><span><strong>South Africa</strong> - </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/ts-ironman-adventure"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">http://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/ts-ironman-adventure</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white;"><span><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white;"><span><strong>UK</strong> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Tyron-Edmonds"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US">http://www.justgiving.com/Tyron-Edmonds</span></a></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="line-height: 140%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 140%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; background: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="line-height: 140%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US">Tyron</span></p>
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